Need help/suggestions on changing things up a bit.

MallorieGreiner
MallorieGreiner Posts: 135 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey guys,

could use your expertise.

I've been at this whole lifestyle change for about 3 months now. The first month, I dropped like it was hot. Second month, a bit slower, but steady. This month has been extremely slow. I've only dropped about .25 of an inch around my belly pooch. Nothing anywhere else, and weight has been stuck at 132 lbs. I want to make sure I'm doing 110% on my end before I complain about plateauing.

My questions are....1. should I up my calories "this" soon and 2. what do you recommend for strength training for dummies?

I see a lot about the "In Place of Road Map" and I've calculated before and it says I need about 1700. Right now, I've been sticking with what MFP gave me. (because it was working and I wasn't very hungry, etc.) 1300 calories a day and eating back half to all of my exercise calories. (I got that number when I was around 140 pounds and wanted to lose about a pound a week) I would gladly jump right into that 1700 number, but I don't know if 400 extra calories on my bod a day now is going to "shock" it. (Does that really happen? I have no clue what I'm doing lol) Or should I maybe at 50-100 extra calories at a time to see what happens? I need your guys' help for sure! =)

Second, as for exercise I do little (basically none, let's be honest) strength training. While I interval train, I'm getting some in there for my legs, but nothing for arms and abs. I dig the basics; push ups, crunches, and planks, but it probably isn't enough. So my question is, how much/what SHOULD I be doing a day/some days?

Some stats/goals ya might need to help me:

I'm 5'7" at 132 pounds. 18% body fat. (Not bad, I know, but I could still stand to lose some fat. I have a pretty jiggly belly, arms, butt, and thighs \m/) I would like to lose more weight, don't really have a specific amount, I just want those jiggles less...jiggly. I'd like to just tone those areas and be healthy, strength-wise.
Currently eating 1300 calories. Diary is wide open.

I currently exercise pretty much everyday I can until there's a day I literally don't have time for it. I go about 5-7 days before a rest day. I do interval training on a treadmill 45-60 minutes a day, burning between 525-725 calories at a time. (2 minutes of running at 5.0mph at a 3.5 incline, 5 minutes of walking at 3.8mph at a 12.0 incline)

If you need anything else, let me know. I am not opposed to getting my butt kicked (verbally or physically by exercise) I just want to know if/what I should change to keep moving forward and continue on this journey.

Thanks so much in advance!

Replies

  • tricksee
    tricksee Posts: 835 Member
    "My questions are....1. should I up my calories "this" soon..."

    Try a high calorie day once or twice a week to see how your body reacts to processing a higher amount. It may kick-start your weight-loss.


    " and 2. what do you recommend for strength training for dummies? "

    5x5 Stronglifts.
  • SirgS
    SirgS Posts: 21
    I second 5x5 Strong Llifts
  • MG_Fit
    MG_Fit Posts: 1,143 Member
    A lot of girls around here have been talking about this book:
    The New Rules of Lifting for Women

    BTW, burn that Red Wings jersey ... you're in IL and here we root for the Hawks :noway:
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    18lbs in 3 months is a pretty good rate of loss.

    And, remember, weight loss isn't linear, so some weeks you won't lose as much....some weeks you might not lose anything.

    Also, since you are within 20lbs of your goal, you should only be trying to lose 0.5lbs a week.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    If you think you're going to be losing alot more when you're already 18% body fat.... :grumble:

    Anyway, yeah i would up my calories but more importantly my protein.

    As far as lifting, Starting Strength, Stronglifts 5x5, or New rules of lifting are good starting points.
  • MallorieGreiner
    MallorieGreiner Posts: 135 Member
    "My questions are....1. should I up my calories "this" soon..."

    Try a high calorie day once or twice a week to see how your body reacts to processing a higher amount. It may kick-start your weight-loss.


    " and 2. what do you recommend for strength training for dummies? "

    5x5 Stronglifts.

    Thank you so much for your help!

    18lbs in 3 months is a pretty good rate of loss.

    And, remember, weight loss isn't linear, so some weeks you won't lose as much....some weeks you might not lose anything.

    Also, since you are within 20lbs of your goal, you should only be trying to lose 0.5lbs a week.

    I haven't lost 18 pounds in 3 month, that's been over a year of being a yo-yo. hahahaha
    Only a few pounds in 3 months. =)
    Thanks for the suggestion though!
    A lot of girls around here have been talking about this book:
    The New Rules of Lifting for Women

    BTW, burn that Red Wings jersey ... you're in IL and here we root for the Hawks

    Thanks for the book suggestion, I love reading too, so this will be gold.

    HAHA. I can't. I love the Wings and Hawks. Hawks weren't televised on tv till about 5 years ago, thanks to old man Wirtz, so I grew up watching the Red Wings. =P
  • MallorieGreiner
    MallorieGreiner Posts: 135 Member
    If you think you're going to be losing alot more when you're already 18% body fat.... :grumble:

    Anyway, yeah i would up my calories but more importantly my protein.

    As far as lifting, Starting Strength, Stronglifts 5x5, or New rules of lifting are good starting points.

    I figured just toning those areas. I know I'm not going to lose a ton more, nor do I wanna. I just wanna tone and see where others say to go from where I'm at. hahaha

    Thanks!
  • supermodelchic
    supermodelchic Posts: 550 Member
    You need to add in weightlifting, adding muscle is the only way to sculpt your body, and don't do light weights , 6-8 reps heavy weights, I use to powerlift , and at almost 49 I am holding strong :)
  • jez4ever
    jez4ever Posts: 190 Member
    I'd have to agree with supermodel. The only thing missing is some strength training. Lift those weights and you should see great results. Make sure to drink your protein shakes!!
  • MallorieGreiner
    MallorieGreiner Posts: 135 Member
    You need to add in weightlifting, adding muscle is the only way to sculpt your body, and don't do light weights , 6-8 reps heavy weights, I use to powerlift , and at almost 49 I am holding strong :)

    Thanks so much for the great suggestion! I was really thinking about some heavy lifting, so this would be gold.
    I'd have to agree with supermodel. The only thing missing is some strength training. Lift those weights and you should see great results. Make sure to drink your protein shakes!!

    Thanks!

Categories